Page 65 of Trust Me

Theo suddenly yelps out in pain, gripping his leg under the table. “Cam, what the fuck, man!”

Cameron leans forward on his elbows, pinning him with his stoic gaze. “Don’t say shit like that to her. It clearly makes her uncomfortable. She’s trying to do her job, so lay off.”

Theo makes a strangled noise, waving Cameron off. “She’s shy, so I like to push her buttons and make her blush. It’s cute.”

“It also may be the reason she never gives you a chance. Just saying,” Cameron says, wrapping his arm around Aurora’s waist and she snuggles into his side.

The conversation is dropped after that, and we all catch up. It’s easy and fun, reminding me how much I miss Aurora and Cameron being around. But I know she’s off chasing her dreams and I couldn’t be prouder.

My phone vibrates under my thigh, so I pull it out and do my best to stop a smile from spreading on my face when I see Elio’s name on my screen.

His words nestle themselves inside my heart, making it beat faster than before. I bite my bottom lip as I internally debate whether or not to send him the photo I took earlier in the mirror at Aurora’s house.

It’s a head-to-toe shot, and I’d be lying if I said my boobs weren’t nearly hanging out of my top. I miss him too, and I feel like messing with him a bit. I like when he gets riled up.

Before I can even set my phone down, he calls me. I excuse myself, taking a minute to step outside into the chilly autumn air.

“H-hello,” I chatter, my legs already frozen.

“Where are you? Why are you cold?” His voice is laced with concern.

“I’m outside of the bar so I could hear you. Is everything okay?”

“Well, my girlfriend that I can’t really be with in public is currently at a bar without me, looking sinful in that damn costume. So no, dolcezza, I’m not okay.”

I roll my eyes, not that he can see. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

He groans loudly, sighing into the phone. There’s a door shutting on his end as his voice comes back on the line. “I know.”

“Elio, w-where are you going?” I stutter, my teeth chattering as my lips quiver.

“Jasmine, go back inside, now. I’ll be there in ten,” he demands icily, hanging up the call.

I walk back into the bar, rubbing my hands down the sides of my thighs as I try to warm up. My stomach awakens, those damn butterflies returning at the knowledge that Elio’s coming here. But they vanish just as quickly at the reminder that we can’t act how we do at home, which is like two teenagers who are obsessed with one another, always making out when possible, never able to get enough.

“You okay?” Aurora asks once I return to the booth, our drinks on the table.

“Elio’s on his way. Just a heads-up,” I tell them, taking a hefty sip of my wine.

“Good, it’s about time I formally meet this guy to see if he’s good enough to be dating you,” Cameron says so casually, as if he didn’t drop the biggest bomb on Theo, who had no idea.

The only ones who know are Camille and Aurora, who told Cameron with my permission.

Dead fucking silence falls over our table. The only sounds are the Halloween music playing, the laughter and conversation milling amongst the crowd. Aurora looks up at him like a deer in headlights, making him turn his head toward her.

Realization dawns over him, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head as his lips form an O.

“Oh, shit,” he mutters.

“Yeah, what the hell? Dating you? Jay Bay Bay, did you forget to mention this to me or is my letter of acknowledgement sitting in my mailbox?” Theo questions me, one of his eyebrows raised. He’s not mad, but I can tell he’s slightly hurt that I kept it from him.

“I, uh,” I fumble, not wanting to hurt his feelings. “I wanted to tell you, Theo, but it’s all new for me. We’re keeping it on the down-low because of my father, so not a word of this, understand?”

Theo looks at me in utter shock. “You and Elio fucking Mazzo are dating? This isn’t real, c’mon.” He chuckles, not realizing that his words are a target to my insecurities.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I place my arms over my chest, trying to comfort myself.

“I mean, that it’s unexpected. Last year at the gala it seemed like you couldn’t care less about the man, and now suddenly, you’re dating? And isn’t he way older? And your dad’s coworker slash protégé?” he asks, reminding me of all the obstacles in Elio’s and my situation.

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